Viral video of heroin overdose car crash aftermath filmed in Detroit

Viral video of heroin overdose car crash aftermath filmed in Detroit

Health

Viral online video of heroin overdose car crash filmed in Detroit

A disturbing video of two people in a car crash who apparently overdosed on drugs has gone viral. In the video, one can be seen with a syringe still stuck in her leg. It happened here in metro Detroit, where the heroin problem is an epidemic.

DETROIT, Mich. (WJBK) - A disturbing video of two people in a car crash who apparently overdosed on drugs has gone viral. In the video, one can be seen with a syringe still stuck in her leg. It happened here in metro Detroit, where the heroin problem is an epidemic.

Evidence of the vehicle crash still remains at the corner of Chalmers and Seven Mile Road. A twisted street sign stopped a couple who crashed into it - then the witnesses' cell phones came out.

Video shows passers-by slapping the face of the driver to revive him. Both he and the female passenger appeared unconscious, and her face was turning blue. Bystanders poured water on her and she finally showed some signs of life. The camera then pans to show she still has a needle in her leg.

The video has been viewed millions of times on Facebook, and more than a thousand times on YouTube. It was first uploaded on March 28, although it's not clear when it was recorded.

What is clear to addiction specialist Tony Allen, is the effects of this terrible drug.

"Addiction to heroin is horrible. You have to have it, in order to function," Allen says.

Allen himself is a recovering heroin addict and is over 20 years sober.

"I don't forget where I came from," he says. "I don't forget the last time that I used."

He uses his expertise to help others at the Elmhurst Homes for Recovery. They treat more than 100 people a day, a majority of them, he says, are on heroin.

Even though he wasn't there at the time of this crash, it's not hard for him imagine what happened.

"It appears as though they had just copped it," he says. "They couldn't wait to get where they were going. They needed to get it."

The three minute video ends with a police car arriving at the scene. Detroit police say they have no record of any investigation like this, but without an exact date, we're told narrowing it down is very difficult. Therefore, the fate of the two in the video is unknown.

However, Allen says if just one person is inspired to get help after seeing this graphic video, perhaps some good can come.

"Some people may need to see that and wake up and say it's time to go Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority," Allen says. "And if they do need to get some help call 1-800-241-4949."